NHL insider Chris Johnston anticipates that Mitch Marner will likely return to the Toronto Maple Leafs for the 2024-25 season.
Despite trade rumors following Toronto’s playoff exit, Marner is expected to remain with the team as he enters the final year of his seven-year, $65.4 million contract signed in 2019.
Johnston noted that while Marner has been discussed in potential trades, no deals have materialized, and the team is comfortable with him returning.
Johnston said, “Mitch Marner is more likely than not to return to the team. We’ll see how things develop as time goes on. I think they are comfortable with Mitch Marner returning if that is how things turn out, if there isn’t enough interest, or if a trade doesn’t make sense.”
Marner, who tallied 26 goals and 59 assists for 85 points in 69 regular-season games last year, is set to play out his contract’s final year despite the rumors.
Newly appointed head coach Craig Berube, a Stanley Cup winner, is excited to coach Marner. “He’s a character guy, a great person, and obviously a great player,” Berube said. He expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunity to coach Marner and mentioned having conversations with all the Maple Leafs players to get to know them and their expectations.
Marner, drafted fourth overall in the 2015 NHL draft by his hometown Maple Leafs, has stated his desire to stay in Toronto. “I’ve expressed my love for this place, this city. Obviously, I’ve grown up here,” Marner told the media. He has played 576 career games with Toronto, recording 194 goals and 445 assists for 639 points.
